British Fashion Council Announces Nominees

The British Fashion Council has announced the nominees for the 2007 British Fashion Awards sponsored by Swarovski, to be held November 27. The nominees for the Designer of the Year are Anya Hindmarch, Luella Bartley and Stella McCartney; New Designer - Christopher Kane, Gareth Pugh and Marios Schwab; Best New Retail Concept - The Shop at Bluebird, Dover Street Market and Marc Jacobs; and the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator - Mert and Marcus, Michael Howells and Terry Jones; Agyness Deyn, Lily Cole and Irina for Model of the Year; and Giles Deacon, Marchesa and Stella McCartney for Red Carpet Designer of the Year. Hmmm, decisions, decisions. My choices are: McCartney, Kane, Dover Street Market, Terry Jones, Deyn and Deacon. Why do these awards matter? Well, in the case of the New Designer an award is a fast-track to funding and possible employment in a big brand. For the rest, it is something they can use to negotiate better deals with whomever they sell to. A dress by Christopher Kane (Photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images). □